Knowledge is Power…for Peace

For all of the cries that rise from time to time, proclaiming this to be a nation of religious people (usually Christian, particularly), it would appear that we don’t know very much about our faith landscape. A recent Pew Forum survey has shown that Americans don’t know a whole lot about religion.

This isn’t terribly surprising, really: rationality has never been a match for rhetoric in our culture of 24-hour news cycles. But still, I would have had higher hopes for our collective culture. Because in the end, knowledge of the religions that shape the lives of our fellow citizens, could help us bridge some of the ever-widening gaps in our polarized society.

Our country was unquestionably founded, in part, on Christian values. But it was also very much founded on Enlightenment values. Learning, education and knowledge mattered. Reasoning was important. It should still be. It’s interesting to note that it is the Atheists who seemed to have the most knowledge of religion. I suspect that one must have some knowledge of something before one can deconstruct or reject it.

Learning about one another’s religions helps take away some of the strangeness of them. It helps to allay the fear that can easily grow into intolerance. It also helps to build empathy with people across faith boundaries, and promotes peace between neighbors.

So when you take the quiz yourself, note where there are still opportunities to learn. To ask questions. To be open to another person’s faith. Opportunities to understand more. Note where bridges may be built. Knowledge is power–the power to dispel fear and misunderstanding, and the power to love all of our neighbors.